Islamic Foundation of Peoria encourages people to gain knowledge of various religions in the area

Monday

Mar 7, 2016 at 12:01 AMMar 7, 2016 at 11:49 PM

Jaylyn Cook Journal Star reporter @dafox42

PEORIA — Hundreds gathered Monday night at a local mosque to combat the continuing nationwide spread of Islamophobia by promoting peace.

Imam Kamil Mufti cited growing requests to close mosques in America, as well as the anti-Muslim rhetoric frequently used by presidential candidate Donald Trump as reasons for the necessity of the interfaith event, “Know Islam. Know Peace.”

“We are like anybody else you will meet in America. We are not a threat. We are not terrorists. There is no reason to be suspicious of Muslims,” said Mufti to thunderous applause.

The event, hosted by the Islamic Foundation of Peoria, featured a panel of speakers from a variety of religious backgrounds who each aimed to clear up common misconceptions that some may have about Islam. Speakers included Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis; state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria; and U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois Jim Lewis.

Gordon-Booth said her Christian mother gave her a Muslim name because she respected the leadership displayed by Jehan Sadat, widow of Egypt’s former King Anwar Sadat, after his assassination. She encouraged the audience to respect one another, despite their differences.

“We don’t have to compromise what we believe to show admiration and love for us all,” she said.

Ardis expressed his desire to hold more such events in Peoria, as it not only provides a learning opportunity for residents of Peoria, but it also serves as an example of how far the city has come.

“I thank God that I’ve lived here my whole life,” he said. “Our community for a lot of reasons, which we should all be very proud of, has become extremely diversified.”

Ardis said that he hoped the discussion would continue throughout Peoria, as well as surrounding areas.

“Peoria and central Illinois is a really good community,” Ardis said. “It would be very important for other communities to follow our example, and promote the importance of tolerance, love for our neighbors, and at the end of the day, a community that respects each other’s views.”

Jaylyn Cook can be reached at 686-3196 and jcook@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @DaFox42.